Former New York Republican Gov. George Pataki opened his speech Tuesday at a presidential forum by referring to emails he has received from former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.
“I’m leaving the White House dead broke,” he said to the crowd at the International Association of Fire Fighters presidential forum in Washington, D.C., referencing their virtual correspondence. “Think you could line up any speeches for me?”
“She sent me a few about Benghazi, but they’re classified, so I can’t let you know what they say,” he added.
Clinton continues to dominate headlines after news broke last week that she used a personal email account during her tenure as America’s top diplomat. An ongoing investigation will determine whether she broke record-keeping rules with the use of her personal account to conduct government business. Clinton is set to address the public Tuesday afternoon about the email controversy.
RELATED: Webb asked about Clinton email controversy at firefighters’ event
Other potential Republican presidential candidates who spoke at the forum included Sens. Ted Cruz of Texas and Marco Rubio of Florida. GOP Rep. Peter King of New York and Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina also addressed the crowd.
Last December, Pataki added himself to the growing list of Republicans who are considering running for president in 2016. He is considered a moderate Republican because of past comments referencing his approval of abortion rights and other socially liberal positions.
The former three-term New York governor was in office during the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attack on the World Trade Center. He currently runs a consulting firm.
Michele Richinick